Acute Effect of Quadriceps Myofascial Tissue Rolling Using A Mechanical Self-Myofascial Release Roller-Massager on Performance and Recovery in Young Elite Speed Skaters

Objectives: The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the acute effects of myofascial tissue rolling on endurance performance and recovery using a novel designed mechanical self-induced multi-bar roller-massager. Methods: a randomized crossover, repeated measure design was used. Eight national levelled, junior and neo-senior, speed skaters underwent a 10 min myofascial quadriceps rolling pre- and fifteen minutes post- a stepwise incremental cycling-test to exhaustion followed by a Wingate performance-test. The myofascial quadriceps rolling was used in one out of two laboratory testing-days. Time to exhaustion, peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), blood lactate concentration during 30 min of recovery, and peak- and mean- power during the consecutive Wingate test were recorded. Results: Myofascial quadriceps rolling using roller-massager resulted in higher blood lactate concentration at exhaustion and a larger blood lactate clearance after 10 min to post exhaustion test (both p < 0.05), a tendency for a positive effect on Wingate peak-power (p = 0.084; d = 0.71), whereas no marked differences were observed on VO2peak, time to exhaustion and Wingate mean-power. Conclusion: Despite indications for potential benefits of the quadriceps myofascial tissue release using the mechanical self-induced multi-bar roller-massager on blood lactate concentration and Wingate peak-power, the myofascial tissue release gave no marked performance improvements nor indications of negative effects. Future studies could examine the long-term effects of myofascial tissue release on performance and recovery. Furthermore, integrating a measure of the participants’ subjective experience pre- and post the myofascial tissue release would be of great interest.publishedVersio

Assessing test-retest reliability of the portable Brower speed trap II testing system

The aim of the present study was to assess the test-retest reliability of the Brower Speed Trap II running speed timing system. The test-retest reliability of the system was assessed by testing 52 physical education students aged (±SD) 21.4 (±8.9) years. All participants were tested on 30-m sprint with 10-m, 20-m and 30-m split times. All measurements were obtained on two subsequent days. The results from this investigation indicate that the variations in the students’ performance between test day one and test day two was small and the intra-class correlation indicates a high repeatability. In the examination of the system reliability, the system did not show any marked systematic bias (p<.05) assessed by the paired sample t-test. However, the systematic bias and the random variation found indicate that the Brower Speed Trap II running speed timing system was a reliable testing instrument to be used in testing physical education students, and a useful instrument for measuring running speed. However, in future studies it would be interesting to examine if the system were able to monitor the small changes in running speed that could result from increasing the training of an already elite athlete. Furthermore, we concluded that if comparison of overall values of running speed is intended, it is advisable to use the same testing system, because different systems give different results based on the errors associated with it

Crossing the Golden Training Divide: The Science and Practice of Training World‑Class 800‑ and 1500‑m Runners

Despite an increasing amount of research devoted to middle-distance training (herein the 800 and 1500 m events), information regarding the training methodologies of world-class runners is limited. Therefore, the objective of this review was to integrate scientific and best practice literature and outline a novel framework for understanding the training and development of elite middle-distance performance. Herein, we describe how well-known training principles and fundamental training characteristics are applied by world-leading middle-distance coaches and athletes to meet the physiological and neuromuscular demands of 800 and 1500 m. Large diversities in physiological profiles and training emerge among middle-distance runners, justifying a categorization into types across a continuum (400–800 m types, 800 m specialists, 800–1500 m types, 1500 m specialists and 1500–5000 m types). Larger running volumes (120–170 vs. 50–120 km·week−1 during the preparation period) and higher aerobic/anaerobic training distribution (90/10 vs. 60/40% of the annual running sessions below vs. at or above anaerobic threshold) distinguish 1500- and 800-m runners. Lactate tolerance and lactate production training are regularly included interval sessions by middle-distance runners, particularly among 800-m athletes. In addition, 800-m runners perform more strength, power and plyometric training than 1500-m runners. Although the literature is biased towards men and “long-distance thinking,” this review provides a point of departure for scientists and practitioners to further explore and quantify the training and development of elite 800- and 1500-m running performance and serves as a position statement for outlining current state-of-the-art middle-distance training recommendations.publishedVersio

Utvrđivanje test-retest pouzdanosti prijenosnog mjernog sustava brower speed trap ii

The aim of the present study was to assess the test-retest reliability of the Brower Speed Trap II running speed timing system. The test-retest reliability of the system was assessed by testing 52 physical education students aged (±SD) 21.4 (±8.9) years. All participants were tested on 30-m sprint with 10-m, 20-m and 30-m split times. All measurements were obtained on two subsequent days. The results from this investigation indicate that the variations in the students’ performance between test day one and test day two was small and the intra-class correlation indicates a high repeatability. In the examination of the system reliability, the system did not show any marked systematic bias (p<.05) assessed by the paired sample t-test. However, the systematic bias and the random variation found indicate that the Brower Speed Trap II running speed timing system was a reliable testing instrument to be used in testing physical education students, and a useful instrument for measuring running speed. However, in future studies it would be interesting to examine if the system were able to monitor the small changes in running speed that could result from increasing the training of an already elite athlete. Furthermore, we concluded that if comparison of overall values of running speed is intended, it is advisable to use the same testing system, because different systems give different results based on the errors associated with it.Cilj je ovog istraživanja bilo utvrđivanje pouzdanosti sustava za mjerenje brzine trčanja Brower Speed Trap II metodom test-retest. Test-retest pouzdanost sustava bila je utvrđena testiranjem 52 studenta kineziologije, u dobi od 21,4±8,9 godina. Svi ispitanici bili su testirani testom sprint na 30 metara s prolaznim vremenima zabilježenima na 10, 20 i 30 metara. Sva mjerenja su provedena tijekom dva uzastopna dana. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su malu varijabilnost rezultata u testovima provedenima prvi i drugi dan, a intraklasna korelacija između rezultata dobivenih prvi i drugi dan pokazuje visok stupanj ponovljivosti. Primijenjeni t-testa za zavisne uzorke pokazao je da ne postoji značajna sistematska pogreška mjerenja (p<.05). Ipak, dobivena sistematska pogreška i utvrđena slučajna varijacija potvrđuju da je sustav za mjerenje brzine trčanja Brower Speed Trap II pouzdan mjerni instrument za mjerenje populacije studenata kineziologije te koristan mjerni instrument za mjerenje brzine trčanja. Ipak, u budućim istraživanjima bilo bi zanimljivo istražiti može li sustav zabilježiti male promjene u brzini trčanja koje mogu biti rezultat treninga vrhunskih sportaša. Nadalje, zaključili smo da ako je namjera uspoređivati rezultate mjerenja brzine trčanja, korisno je koristiti isti mjerni sustav, budući da različiti mjerni sustavi daju različite rezultate s obzirom na različite pogreške koje sustavi imaju

Sprint interval running and continuous running produce training specific adaptations, despite a similar improvement of aerobic endurance capacity—a randomized trial of healthy adults

The purpose of the present study was to investigate training-specific adaptations to eight weeks of moderate intensity continuous training (CT) and sprint interval training (SIT). Young healthy subjects (n = 25; 9 males and 16 females) performed either continuous training (30–60 min, 70–80% peak heart rate) or sprint interval training (5–10 near maximal 30 s sprints, 3 min recovery) three times per week for eight weeks. Maximal oxygen consumption, 20 m shuttle run test and 5·60 m sprint test were performed before and after the intervention. Furthermore, heart rate, oxygen pulse, respiratory exchange ratio, lactate and running economy were assessed at five submaximal intensities, before and after the training interventions. Maximal oxygen uptake increased after CT (before: 47.9 ± 1.5; after: 49.7 ± 1.5 mL·kg−1·min−1, p < 0.05) and SIT (before: 50.5 ± 1.6; after: 53.3 ± 1.5 mL·kg−1·min−1, p < 0.01), with no statistically significant differences between groups. Both groups increased 20 m shuttle run performance and 60 m sprint performance, but SIT performed better than CT at the 4th and 5th 60 m sprint after the intervention (p < 0.05). At submaximal intensities, CT, but not SIT, reduced heart rate (p < 0.05), whereas lactate decreased in both groups. In conclusion, both groups demonstrated similar improvements of several performance measures including VO2max, but sprint performance was better after SIT, and CT caused training-specific adaptations at submaximal intensities.publishedVersio

A case study of the training of nine times New York marathon winner Grete Waitz

The purpose of the present study is to give a description of the exceptional running career of Grete Waitz (GW) and give special attention to the distribution of training volume and training intensity in two of her most successful years as an international long-distance and marathon runner. Training data are based on an analysis of GW’s training diaries from her early start as a track and field athlete to her best performance years as a long-distance track runner and marathon runner. The main finding in this study was that GW’s total running volume, in her best seasons, varied between 119-132 km · week-1 in the different meso-cycles of the training year. Her weekly training volume is far below the volume reported for the current female World Record holder for the marathon distance at the time of writing. Her training typically consisted of two daily sessions of continuous running (50-60 min) at a relatively high intensity. She did very few long interval training sessions, but she usually did one high-intensity session of shorter intervals/sprint training (strides) per week. In the season 1978-1979 she took part in 50 competitions (ranging from 800m to marathon) of which she won 48. Her best track performance in this season was her Nordic record in the 3000 m, 8:31.75 which would have been the best time in the world in 2011 and 2012

Training characteristics of male junior cross country and track runners on European top level

The purpose of the present study was to describe training characteristics of distance junior runners at European top level. The athletes' training diaries for the 2008 season were analysed. The total training volume (km/week) performed over the different training periods was registered on five differentiated intensities. The results showed that during the building-up period for the season the junior runners ran an average of 132.5 ± 25.9 km/week. 78.3 ± 4.7 % of their weekly training distance (km/week) was continuous running with a heart rate (HR) between 62-82 % of maximum. During the track competition season the total weekly running distance was 115 ± 22.9 km/week. The training in the three last months before the European Cross Country Championship was very similar to the training in the building up period. In 2008, three of four tested VO2max, and the average was 79.2 ± 4.8 ml • kg-1 • min-1

The effect of high- vs. low-intensity training on aerobic capacity in well-trained male middle-distance runners

The article presents the results of a study which compared the ways in which training at either high or low intensity affected aerobic capacity in male middle-distance runners. An overview of related previous research is provided, along with details of the experimental protocol. It found that training with intensity near the lactate threshold produced better results

The effect of 40-m repeated sprint training on maximum sprinting speed, repeated sprint speed endurance, vertical jump, and aerobic capacity in young elite male soccer players

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of 10 weeks' 40-m repeated sprint training program that does not involve strength training on sprinting speed and repeated sprint speed on young elite soccer players. Twenty young well-trained elite male soccer players of age (±SD) 16.4 (±0.9) years, body mass 67.2 (±9.1) kg, and stature 176.3 (±7.4) cm volunteered to participate in this study. All participants were tested on 40-m running speed, 10 × 40-m repeated sprint speed, 20-m acceleration speed, 20-m top speed, countermovement jump (CMJ), and aerobic endurance (beep test). Participants were divided into training group (TG) (n = 10) and control group (CG) (n = 10). The study was conducted in the precompetition phase of the training program for the participants and ended 13 weeks before the start of the season; the duration of the precompetition period was 26 weeks. The TG followed a Periodized repeated sprint training program once a week. The training program consisted of running 40 m with different intensities and duration from week to week. Within-group results indicate that TG had a statistically marked improvement in their performance from pre to posttest in 40-m maximum sprint (−0.06 seconds), 10 × 40-m repeated sprint speed (−0.12 seconds), 20- to 40-m top speed (−0.05 seconds), and CMJ (2.7 cm). The CG showed only a statistically notable improvement from pre to posttest in 10 × 40-m repeated sprint speed (−0.06 seconds). Between-group differences showed a statistically marked improvement for the TG over the CG in 10 × 40-m repeated sprint speed (−0.07 seconds) and 20- to 40-m top speed (−0.05 seconds), but the effect of the improvement was moderate. The results further indicate that a weekly training with repeated sprint gave a moderate but not statistically marked improvement in 40-m sprinting, CMJ, and beep test. The results of this study indicate that the repeated sprint program had a positive effect on several of the parameters tested. However, because the sample size in this study is 20 participants, the results are valid only for those who took part in this study. Therefore, we advice to use repeated sprint training similar to the one in this study only in periods where the players have no speed training included in their program. Furthermore, the participants in this study should probably trained strength, however, benefits were observed even without strength training is most likely to be caused by the training specificity